Get Current: Getting Back Into Skydiving (Recurrency)

Melissa Lowe is a third generation skydiver who made her first jump at the ripe old age of 5. With over 10,000 jumps, multiple ratings and records under her belt, Melissa is a well-rounded expert skydiver – and recently added the title “mom” and all the responsibilities that come with that to her already busy schedule.

Currency is key to essential safety in the high-speed sport of skydiving. Ideally, it’s best to stay current. With that being said, what defines an uncurrent skydiver and what does one have to do to get back into it? First, let’s check in to see what USPA has to say about currency:

According to USPA’s Skydiver Information Manual:

A. STUDENTSStudents who have not jumped within the preceding 30 days should make at least one jump under the direct supervision of an appropriately rated USPA instructor.

B. LICENSED SKYDIVERS1. Skydivers returning after a long period of inactivity encounter greater risk that requires special consideration to properly manage.2. Care should be taken to regain or develop the knowledge, skills, and awareness needed to satisfactorily perform the tasks planned for the jump.3. Jumps aimed at sharpening survival skills should precede jumps with other goals.

C. CHANGES IN PROCEDURES1. If deployment or emergency procedures are changed at any time, the skydiver should be thoroughly trained and practice under supervision in a harness simulator until proficient.2. Ground training should repeat ground practice at short intervals, such as before each weekend’s jump activities, and continue to deploy at a higher-than-normal altitude until thoroughly familiar with the new procedures.

D. LONG LAY-OFFS1. Jumpers should receive refresher training appropriate for their skydiving history and time since their last skydive.a. Jumpers who were very experienced and current but became inactive for a year or more should undergo thorough trainingupon returning to the sport.b. Skydivers who historically jump infrequently should review training after layoffs of even less than a year.2. Skydiving equipment, techniques, and procedures change frequently.a. During recurrency training following long periods of inactivity, jumpers may be introduced to new and unfamiliarequipment and techniques.b. Procedures change to accommodate developments and local drop zone requirements.3. Returning skydivers require thorough practical training in the following subject areas:a. aircraft proceduresb. equipmentc. exit and freefall proceduresd. canopy control and landingse. emergency procedures

To break down what an uncurrent skydiver may have to do is based on USPA’s Skydiver Information Manual and my experience as an Instructor. The bottom line is, it’s the Drop Zone’s requirements on exactly what’s involved in currency training:

Now that’s what you’ll need to do to get back in the sky, but if you’d like to take a step further to get your mind back into the language of skydiving for safety, follow this link to an Recurrency Assessment on TheLowes.com and see what you know or what you can ask your instructor more about.

Originally published by Melissa Lowe March 18, 2014 on thelowes.tv – republished with permission.
Follow Melissa on Facebook or visit her website for more great tips and insight into the life of a busy skydiving mom.

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